Rating: 
Summary: Easily Share Your Broad Band Internet Connection
Review: This puppy is an instant LAN and internet sharing all in one little box. I have three PC's networked together and can simultaneously connect to the internet with no extra connect fees. Using this router on my MediaOne Road Runner (beep beep) broad band connection.
Rating:
Summary: Pays for itself in a year
Review: I bought this Router as an alternative to paying an extra $14.95/month to MediaOne just to add a second computer to my cable modem. Set up was super-simple. The documentation is great and the web-based configuration couldn't be easier. HOWEVER.... As the user, "vdpluijm", stated in another review. The tricky part is calling your cable/DSL provider and getting them to switch your service (authentication) without telling them that you bought a router to avoid paying them more money. You'll need to say that you bought a whole new PC (and NOT a router). When the helpful telephone customer service representative asks for your "new computer's" MAC (Ethernet card) address. You need to give him/her/it the WAN MAC address displayed on the Router's web page, all the while, lying about what windows you're looking at on the screen. Other than that, the Internet sharing is great and it's nice to have your own DHCP server for quickly connecting a laptop with no configuration issues. Also, chicks dig the router's many multi-colored flashing lights.
Rating:
Summary: Better than a software + extra NIC solution!
Review: I was running my PC as a router (using 2 NICs), but that meant that I had to run routing and firewall software (Sygate from Acer). It also meant that I had to leave the computer with 2 NICs on, in order for the other computers to access the Internet. It was functional, but a pain.The Linksys router has taken all the hassle out of my setup. One word of caution - don't listen to others giving technical advice. One guy mentioned (in his review) that a cross over cable was required, but not mentioned in the docs from Linksys. So, I hooked mine up with the cross over cable and promptly spent 30 minutes trying to figure out why it wasn't working. Once I replaced the cross over with a regular cable everything worked fine! I would've had it up in 15 minutes, otherwise...
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good instrument, but networking know how is needed
Review: When I got my Linksys router, I was skeptical it would work since I heard a lot of bad reviews about it about setup. Funny thing did not work for the first couple of tries, I was about to bag it and sent it back to Amazon. BUT, I gave it another try with some patience and some of the stuff I do at work and DA DAAAA! I am online. I suggest to the ones who are not too familiar with networking, to get someone to help you. I agree that the instructions are somewhat simple for setup(which does not covers 'what if' problem happens). Overall I think I am happy to have bought this.
Rating: 
Summary: AVOID THIS PRODUCT LIKE THE PLAGUE
Review: This product corrupts data on downloads. It seems like a flaw in the overall design. Tech support is horrible. Avoid this product like the plague. (Linksys says its probably in ethernet card incompatibility problem, ive tested on a couple major brand name cards still same problem) You have my warning.
Rating: 
Summary: Practical set-up advice
Review: I bought the router for my RoadRunner cable modem. The critical piece of advice was missing, however, which would otherwise have meant only a 10 minute set-up job. When connecting as instructed in the manual, you also have to call mediaOne/RoadRunner to give them the router MAC address. Unfortunately they asked for the LAN MAC address of the router, which is the wrong card. You should give the WAN (Wide area) MAC number to the tech people, who will add this to your list of MAC addresses. This is at no cost! Both MAC addresses are visible on the set-up screen of the router. Once the correct WAN's MAC address was added to my account (and the modem is powered down and rebooted), it worked like a charm.
Rating: 
Summary: Great idea for internet Access only
Review: When I installed this it took about 15 minutes to shut everything off, plug everything in and get into the management interface. It tok me no time at all to configure this switch and get online. Then, I read, that only one person could be "live on the interent" at one time. I have 3 people plugged in this switch and all 3 of us play games online. We also use netmeeting alot. This device will only allow ONE to play at a time or use netmeeting. This is a serious oversight on the part of linksys. I returned my switch because of this. It is great if you want inter access ONLY. Two people playing games? NO Two or more people on netmeeting? NO. Really think about what you do online and see if this limitation will affect you before buying this product.
Rating: 
Summary: Surfing good, anything else, like gaming, its bad
Review: Easy to setup for surfing and email. But trying to get gaming going, specifically for Microsoft Allegiance, was a dismal failure. I think in part due to the limit of 10 ports you can open. Also, I was unable to get a behind the firewall static IP navigating out through the router. Moral is. Base usage, web surfing, email, certain games, its okay. Advanced usage, go for something like the umax ugate-3000. I sent the following to linksys, along with several other messages, but have no responses. ===== LinkSys BEFSR41 4Port EtherFast Cable/DSL Router is INCOMPATIBLE with Allegiance (I think). I have a cable modem run into a LinkSys 4 port cable modem router. Put my gaming machine into the 'dmz' and opened ports 28804 and 47624. Game drops me to the lobby (if I'm lucky) about 2 mins into a battle. I think the issues is I am unable to open the full range of ports (2300-2400) in the LinkSys configuration, as the linksys router will only let me open ten (yes, ten) ports. LinkSys support is less than useless. Game runs fine ( and is great fun ) over direct IP connection through cable modem->smc 10/100 hub. Moral of the story, if you want decent gaming, and want to use a router on your cable modem/dsl, get something like a umax ugate-3000, netgear, or webramp. Currently reevaluating router choice. If anyone is interested, I will let you know how it comes out. One LinkSys BEFSR41 4Port EtherFast Cable/DSL Router for sale.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: 1. Technical Support for Linksys is a JOKE. They operate on a "callback only" basis. It's been 3 days since my call and I have not been called back YET. After numerous complaint calls back to them, they only can tell you that you're "still in the queue and someone should be calling shortly". I think they just hope you forget why you called or resolve it yourself before they call you because chances are you know more about networking than they do. 2. DMZ Host seems to be worthless. If you want any machine to be open to the internet like a linux box or something, your best bet is to put it OUTSIDE of the router because DMZ doesn't leave it open for more than 5 minutes, even though the time-out is set to 0. 3. Did I mention that the Technical Support for this device stinks? 4. It's TOO limited. Only 10 ports can be forwarded, there is NO logging so if you're being smurfed, nuked or packeted in any other way, you have NO way of finding out where the packets are coming from. Basically, it's an overhyped hub. Don't forget if you flash upgrade your firmware, ALL of your router settings WILL BE LOST and you have to configure it all over again. The last operator I spoke with told me to downgrade to 1.22 because 1.23 is worthless. I intend to return this device. The software firewalls such as Conseal PC Firewall or even the FREE software called ZoneAlarm are just as effective as this mess. Save your money.
Rating:
Summary: WARNING - READ THIS FIRST!
Review: After installing this router/firewall I was unable to connect to Amazon.com (although it worked great with every other web site). I don't know what caused the problem, but it appears I was not alone as Linksys specifically says in the notes for a firmware upgrade that it "Addressed issues where some sites could not be connected." Unfortunately, even with this upgrade I could still not connect to Amazon. Linksys tech support sent me firmware 1.23.2 which is not currently available from their web site. This release solved the problem (obviously :-) BTW - Kudos to Amazon's tech support who did their best to solve the problem. Since only their site was unreachable, it didn't seem like I had a router problem.
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